Catalina Island, California
Though situated barely an hour from one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, Catalina Island transports visitors to a tropical environment with a culture all its own. Some of the island’s many outdoor adventures are scuba diving, parasailing, fishing, biking, snorkeling and hiking.
“It’s so close to Hollywood, yet it feels like you’re in a different world,” said Cathy Miller, director of sales and marketing at the Catalina Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
Although there are numerous locations to host unforgettable social events or corporate meetings, one of the most popular shoreline venues is Catherine’s Terrace, which features a lovely glass wall opening onto a canopied balcony by the bay.
Later in the day, travelers can catch a show at the Catalina Casino, a circular theater and entertainment dome on the edge of the water. Each year, this romantic edifice hosts the island’s largest events, including the New Year’s Eve Celebration and the Catalina Jazz Festival. Though its title can be misleading, “casino” originated as an Italian word for “gathering place.”
“It’s iconic to our island,” said Miller.
One of the most unusual aspects of the island is its bison population, which was brought there nearly 100 years ago for a film. As a result, the island’s signature cocktail is called Buffalo Milk. Visitors can take tours to see the bison, along with deer and other animals, at the Catalina Island Conservancy, which was sectioned off as a nature preserve by the island’s original owners, the Wrigley family.
Another outdoor attraction is the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, which contains a memorial to William Wrigley Jr.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Known as the jewel of the Great Lakes, Mackinac Island provides meeting groups with beautiful waterfront views as well as a dynamic bar and music scene in town.
“Mackinac has a bountiful shopping selection with specialty shops and restaurants,” said Amanda Greenwood, assistant director at Mackinac Island Tourism. “In addition to taking a leisurely bike ride or carriage tour, you may also enjoy our unique golf courses, water activities, hiking trails, historic Fort Mackinac and Fort Holmes.”
The picturesque scenery takes many travelers back to the Colonial era. Visitors can take narrated horse-and-buggy tours through downtown to Surrey Hills, Arch Rock and other key destinations, or experience remnants of the American Revolution at Fort Mackinac and Fort Holmes, which were temporarily occupied by British forces.
The Grand Hotel is Mackinac’s most recognized landmark, standing by the water like a summer palace with striking white pillars and neat rows of flags. At this third-generation family-owned manor, guests can enjoy the sweeping view of Lake Huron, dine at one of the hotel’s various restaurants or host a lavish reception in the Grand Hotel Theatre.
Another fun attraction is the Original Butterfly House and Insect World, the third-oldest live butterfly exhibit in the United States, where guests can walk into a tropical garden teeming with hundreds of butterflies from four continents.
Sailing and biking are two of the area’s most popular outdoor activities. There are numerous sailing excursions from which to choose, among them the Sip n’ Sail cocktail cruise. Every year, thousands of cyclists visit the island to take advantage of the 70 miles of natural and paved trails along wooded areas and 300-foot-high bluffs.
Puerto Rico
As a breathtaking Caribbean island, Puerto Rico is well known for its mouthwatering cuisine, high outdoor adventure and vibrant nightlife, particularly in the historic capital of San Juan.
Planners will find everything they need here to prepare their event. With 600,000 square feet of space, the Puerto Rico Convention Center is the largest convention center in the Caribbean, containing world-class facilities and accommodating staff to ensure the success of meetings and conferences.
Reminiscent of the early Spanish Empire, San Juan features stunning architecture, walking tours and art museums. Travelers will also find no shortage of exquisite restaurants throughout the area, with favorite local dishes like “asopao,” a soup similar to gumbo with chicken, shellfish, rice and other ingredients, or “arroz con dulce,” a sweet, sticky rice cooked with spices, ginger, coconut milk, raisins and rum.
“Puerto Rico is very diverse, and visitors always talk about the variety and excellence of the cuisine,” said Joyce Martinez, vice president of sales at Meet Puerto Rico.
With the rain forest as a dramatic backdrop, Puerto Rico gives visitors the ultimate outdoor and adventure experience. In addition to stunning waterfall hikes and day cruises in the Caribbean, thrill-seekers can try their hand at the world’s highest and longest zip line or take a trolley tour into the depths of the Camuy River Cave, the third-largest underground cave system on Earth.
Though some meeting attendees may be uncertain about the distance and logistics of traveling to a U.S. territory, the island is easily reached, with no flight from the States lasting longer than a couple of hours. American travelers can use their cellphones as well as U.S. currency, and no passports are needed.
